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Chelsea vs AC Milan: Predicted Lineups, Score & Tactical Keys
Chelsea vs AC Milan Preseason Friendly: Everything You Need to Know
What’s Happening?
Chelsea and AC Milan are playing a friendly practice match in Jakarta, Indonesia this Saturday. Think of it like a scrimmage before the real season starts—teams use these games to test strategies and give playing time to different players.
Chelsea’s Preseason So Far
Chelsea’s summer tour has been a rollercoaster:
- Game 1: Wild 6–4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers (lots of goals, chaotic fun)
- Game 2: Lost 2–1 to Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs played with only 10 men for part of the game!)
- Game 3: Lost 1–0 to Juventus (a "drab" game decided by one amazing long-range shot)
Important: Preseason results don’t count for official records. Coaches care more about how the team plays than the final score.
AC Milan’s Preseason So Far
Milan’s tour is short and sweet:
- Played one game so far: a 1–1 draw against rivals Inter Milan in Perth (a rare summer "Derby della Madonnina")
- Flying home to Europe after Saturday’s game
New manager Ruben Amorim (who previously coached Manchester United) said the team needs improvement but was happy with the draw.
Key Players Missing for Chelsea
Chelsea will be without several important players:
- Cole Palmer – Star playmaker, nursing a groin issue (missed all of last season with this problem)
- Levi Colwill – Defender, recovering from ACL knee surgery (missed most of last season)
- Morgan Rogers – New signing, not yet ready
- Reece James – Team captain, injured
Callout: Without Palmer’s creativity, Chelsea struggled to create scoring chances against Juventus. It’s like trying to bake a cake without the baker!
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea (4-2-3-1 Formation)
Formation explanation: 4 defenders, 2 defensive midfielders, 3 attacking midfielders, 1 striker
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Robert Sánchez |
| Defenders | Palestra, Acheampong, Sarr, Hato |
| Defensive Midfield | Caicedo, Lavia |
| Attacking Midfield | Estêvão, Pedro, Gittens |
| Striker | Danny Welbeck |
Young players to watch: This lineup features several "Cobham starlets" (academy graduates from Chelsea’s training ground).
AC Milan (3-4-2-1 Formation)
Formation explanation: 3 center-backs, 4 midfielders, 2 attacking midfielders, 1 striker
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Torriani |
| Defenders | Tomori, Gabbia, Vladimirov |
| Midfielders | Saelemaekers, Modrić, Fofana, Bartesaghi |
| Attacking Midfield | Loftus-Cheek, Nkunku |
| Striker | Gonçalo Ramos |
Fun fact: Three ex-Chelsea players could face their old club: Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Christopher Nkunku!
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, August 8 |
| Location | Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Stadium | Gelora Bung Karno Stadium |
| Kickoff Time | 8:00 AM ET / 5:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM BST |
How to Watch
| Country | TV Channel / Streaming |
|---|---|
| United States | CFC+, CBS Sports Network, fuboTV, FOX Deportes, FOX One |
| Canada | CFC+ |
| Mexico | CFC+, Claro Sports |
| United Kingdom | CFC+ |
Need another country? Check the full global broadcaster list.
Score Prediction
Prediction: Chelsea 1–1 AC Milan
Why?
- Chelsea wants to avoid making "losing a habit" but lacks key creative players
- Milan’s new system under Amorim is built to frustrate opponents
- Both teams are experimenting with lineups and fitness
- It’s a friendly—coaches prioritize player development over winning
Summary
- Chelsea comes in with two straight losses but showed good ball control against Juventus
- Milan drew with Inter and has a new manager implementing his style
- Key absences (especially Palmer) hurt Chelsea’s attacking threat
- Three ex-Chelsea stars line up for Milan—extra motivation for them!
- Prediction: A tight 1–1 draw as both teams focus on fitness over results
- Watch on: CFC+ (Chelsea’s own streaming service) in most regions
FAQ
Q: Why are they playing in Indonesia?
A: Top European clubs tour Asia/USA in summer for global fan engagement and commercial reasons. It’s like a rock band’s world tour!
Q: Do these games count for anything official?
A: No! Preseason friendlies are practice matches. They don’t affect league standings, trophies, or player statistics officially.
Q: What is "CFC+"?
A: Chelsea’s official streaming platform. Think of it like Netflix but only for Chelsea matches and content.
Q: Why is Ruben Amorim coaching Milan if he was just at Manchester United?
A: Coaches move clubs frequently. Amorim left United and joined Milan this summer—both are huge historic clubs.
Q: What’s an "ACL tear"?
A: A serious knee ligament injury that typically requires surgery and 6–9 months recovery. Colwill missed most of last season because of this.
Enjoy the match! Whether you’re watching at 5 AM or 1 PM, it’s a great chance to see young talents and new tactics before the real season kicks off.
